A report of news and commentary of the sport of ice hockey in the southwest U.S.A.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Southwest Players Stats Update for 10/18

Here's a stats update and some Southwest Player Quickhits from the past week across North America. As always, if i'm missing someone, email me so I can find out where I can follow them as well.

*Colin Jacobs had a very strong weekend in 2 games against the Vancouver Giants where he had the game tying goal where the Thunderbirds later won in a shootout 4-3 where he is now tied in team scoring with 7 points (3G 4A) in 8 games. Even though he was held pointless in their 2nd game against the Calgary Hitmen, he was still able to be a physical presence to atleast keep the Thunderbirds in the game before losing 3-2 to the Hitmen.

This takes the T-Birds to 5-2-1 for 11 points and despite still being in 4th place in the U.S. Division, they have also played the fewest number of games along witht he Spokane Chiefs. This week will be a slow one where they have just one game on Friday Night against the Portland Winterhawks.

*Rock Einersen was named the NAHL South Division Player of the week by stepping up because of some crucial injuries to players like J.D. Howard and David Rigatti who are going to be out for several weeks. He had a 4 goal night in an 8-2 blowout of the New Mexico Mustangs on Friday Night. This is the 2nd straight week that a Tornado Player has won this award as Lativan Defensemen Ralfs Freibergs won it last week. Even though he was held pointless in Saturday's 3-1 win on Saturday, he was still a +2 over the weekend.

Here's Tony Curtale's Comment on the Plano, Texas Native

"Because of injuries, Sean has stepped in and made the most of his opportunity," said Tornado Head Coach Tony Curtale. "He worked very hard to get into the lineup and improve as a player, to see that pay off last weekend was a nice reward for Sean and his teammates."

*Chris Brown got his first goal of the season in a 3-3 in a game where the Michigan Power Play tallied on all 3 goals in the Draw against the University of New Hampshire which plays in Hockey East. It came near the midway part of the game when the Wolverines from a great past from Center Matt Rust to Left Winger Carl Hagelin as he pasted it to Brown to deliver the one timer goal which eventually give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead on the power play.

It was his second point of the game and through 4 games, it's still early, he's looking to prove that USA Hockey should put him on the roster for the 2011 World Junior Championship after just missing it last year where the Americans beat Canada in a dramitic Gold Medal game in Saskatoon last season.

*What a way to get your first career NCAA Goal for Chase Grant at Minnesota State as he was able to force a 5-5 tie against Michigan Tech with under 5 minutes left. Grant was able to get all along to frame and tip a great shot from defensemen Channing Boe as a part of a great power play that the Minnesota State Mavericks forced their 3rd tie of the young season as the Mavericks are 0-1-3 and have yet to win a game this season.

The Mavericks hope to get their first win of the season when they continue WCHA Play against Colorado College will play their Conference Opener next weekend.

*Despite being held without a point, he was in more an energy role on the 3rd and 4th lines to help the UNO Mavericks pull off an impressive sweep against the Minnesota Golden Golphers. On Friday Night, the Mavericks were up 4-0 early in the 2nd period, depsite Minnesota being able to tie the game at 4-4 before Hudson scored with just over a minute and a half left to win 5-4.

Then on Saturday Night it was a similar story as the UNO Mavericks went up 3-0, before Minnesota scored twice in the 3rd to close in within 1, but it was the same story second time as the UNO Mavericks scored with 10 seconds left. They are the surprise WCHA Leaders with a 4-0 record and a 2-0 record within the WCHA. This weekend will bring another tough test and perhaps a chance to be a part of the national consveration in the early season with a home weekend against the Michigan Woverines.

*One of the big surprises of the early season is Aberdeen Wings Goalie Frederick Lesiner as he's looking to keep the Wings in many games, despite having a thin roster in-front of him. In the game back on Friday against the Bismarck Bobcats as he held the defending league champion Bismarck Bobcats as he bent, but didn't break on several occasions despite having just 3 power play chances for the Bobcats, he was able to keep them off the scoresheet with the man advantage.

He also has gotten the Wings out of the Central Division Cellar after losing their 5 of their first 6 games to start the season, including being the only team to go winless at the Blaine Showcase.

*Finally an Austin Player that is being a great playmaker for the Icerays as Kyle Hughes from Round Rock, Texas (Just outside of Austin) has 5 assists in the last 5 games (Including 3 game point scoring streak). He has taken over Ben Hughes for the lead in defensemen in scoring for the Icerays.

*Despite the 5-3 loss to Waterloo on Saturday Night, Lincoln Stars Capitan Josh Berge had his best game of the season that saw him score twice. If it weren't for a 4 goal 3rd period by the Blackhawks in the 3rd period, it would have probably would have helped win the game and despite the loss, he was still voted the first Star of the Game for his strong overall efforts. Unfortunatley for his team, the Stars sit in Last place in the West Division with a 1-3-0 record.

Unfortunalty, they have been studering a little bit recently by going to 3 straight OT Games including the loss against Wichita Falls in their opening game of the weekend after Cody Milligan scored to make it 1-1 midway through the 1st period. This team is showing that they have strong talent with players like Beau Walker, as well as Mike Benedict and Sam Cheraso who are tied for the team goal scoring lead with 7 goals in 12 games played this season.

If they can find a way to turn some of their OT Losses into wins and have a better killer instict in regularition, this team would be higher up in the South Division as the team continues to be in 5th place in the South Division. As for the upcoming weekend, the Icerays will have one of their toughest showdowns coming up this weekend with a surging Texas Tornado team that has won 6 in a row and are tied for first place with Amarillo in the South Division.